DORSET's economy

Dorset’s £17 billion GVA economy is strong and resilient. 52,000 businesses are based here, with low churn and high survival rates. Home to well-known international corporations as well as a multitude of fast-growing local enterprises, Dorset is the UK’s top area for high growth digital businesses, second fastest-growing area for start-ups, third largest financial sector and 10th largest urban area. It is an innovation hotbed and cultural hotspot, with a strong entrepreneurial culture.

800,000 people live here, buoying the local economy with low unemployment and high levels of skills, qualifications and disposable income. It is an outstanding place to live, invest and grow with stunning countryside and a World Heritage Site coastline.

With two universities, one university college and five further education colleges, Dorset has a highly-skilled, well-qualified workforce to draw on. Its superb quality of life acts as a magnet for skilled people.

For further economic insight about the region, view:

Bournemouth aerial image

BUSINESS LOCATIONS

Dorset has an excellent range of high-quality employment sites including six business parks and specialist sector hubs.

Business locations

DORSET'S ECONOMY - STATISTICS

52000

Businesses

250

Foreign-owned businesses

800000

Population

10th

Largest urban area in UK

Cobham Gate

BUSINESSES BASED IN DORSET

52,000 businesses are based in Dorset including over 250 foreign-owned companies.

From BAE Systems, Sunseeker International, Dorset Cereals, Lush, Farrow & Ball, to Cobham Aviation Services, New Look, JP Morgan, Caterpillar, Siemens and Hitachi, Dorset has a strong national and multi-national business presence.

Businesses based in Dorset

Cobham plc electrical equipment

KEY DORSET SECTORS

Dorset has a broad business base with world-class leaders and international brands from a diverse mix of industry sectors. It also has several burgeoning key business sectors including advanced engineering and manufacturing, agri-tech, creative industries and financial services.

Key Dorset sectors

DORSET'S ECONOMY - STATISTICS

No.1

UK’s top area for high growth digital businesses

2nd

Fastest-growing area for start-ups in UK

3rd

Largest financial sector in UK

£247.7

Million funding for Dorset